Use of insulin in type 2 diabetes: what we learned from recent clinical trials on the benefits of early insulin initiation

β-cell function and long-term glycemic control in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia after a 6-month course of basal insulin therapy

AIMS

To evaluate whether treatment with insulin is advantageous compared with oral anti-diabetic drugs (OAD) for patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia.

METHODS

Patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia were recruited and randomized to receive insulin, metformin or sitagliptin treatment. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before treatment and 6 months thereafter. The primary outcome was the glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) level change. For the secondary efficacy analysis, the β-cell function and insulin sensitivity were calculated from the OGTT, as was the proportion of subjects who reached the treatment target (HbA1c level < 7.0 % or < 6.5 %) at 6 months.

RESULTS

We randomized 50 patients to the three groups and 32 patients who received the allocated treatment were analyzed. The change of HbA1c level in the insulin, metformin, and sitagliptin groups was - 2.06 ± 1.37 %, -0.43 ± 0.32 %, and - 1.62 ± 0.92 %, respectively. This change was smallest in the metformin group. There was no significant difference in the changes or final HbA1c levels between the insulin and sitagliptin groups. The treat-to-target (HbA1c level < 7.0 %) rates in the insulin, metformin and sitagliptin were 75 %, 50 % and 100 %, respectively. The treat-to-target rates were not significantly different among the three groups. The insulin secretion indices, including the Matsuda index and HOMA-IR, indicated that the groups did not differ after 6 months of therapy.

CONCLUSION

A 6-month course of basal insulin therapy did not benefit patients newly diagnosed with diabetes with moderate hyperglycemia in terms of insulin sensitivity or insulin secretion.

A retrospective comparison between intensive and nonintensive insulin regimens in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

This study compared the outcomes between intensive and nonintensive insulin regimens and assessed the predictive factors for failing to achieve the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) goals in type-2-diabetes-mellitus (T2DM) patients requiring insulin therapy.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective assessment of the medical records of 125 T2DM patients undergoing intensive (46 patients) and nonintensive insulin therapy (79 patients) were conducted.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found when the intensive and nonintensive insulin therapy groups were compared in terms of the percentage decreases of glucose and A1C levels. The mean A1C levels of the nonintensive and intensive groups declined from 11.15% and 11.30% to 7.97% and 8.06%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both intensive and nonintensive insulin therapies improved the baseline glycemic parameters but being overweight or obese and/or being reluctant to dietary recommendations led to treatment failures regardless of the insulin regimen.

The effects of early short-term insulin treatment vs. glimepiride on beta cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with HbA1c above 9

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a complex metabolic impairment. Beta cell (BC) failure is the most challenging among its pathogenetic mechanisms. Recognizing reversible contributors to BC failure could guide individualized approach to early T2D treatment. The aim of this study was to compare early short-term insulin treatment vs. glimepiride, both added to metformin, on BC function, glycemic and lipid control, during 12-month follow-up.

METHODS

Eighty newly diagnosed T2D patients, 30-65 years of age, presenting with HbA1c ≥ 9% were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned to single-month initial insulin therapy (INS) added to metformin, or to glimepiride and metformin (OAD) as only treatment. Subjects assigned to initial insulin intervention were thereafter switched to OAD. C-peptide (C-Pep) was analyzed at baseline and 2 hours after standardized test meal (STM). All subjects were STM-retested after 3 and 12 months. HbA1c, serum lipids, BMI, HOMA IR, and HOMA B were assessed over follow-up.

RESULTS

HbA1c was lower in INS vs OAD at 3-months: 6.26 ± 0.18% vs 6.78 ± 0.10% (p = 0.016), remaining so by 12 months (p =0.056). BMI-adjusted ΔC-Pep was greater in INS vs. OAD at 3 months (4.60 ± 0.59 vs. 3.21 ± 0.34 m2 /kg; p = 0.044), persisting by 12months (4.57 ± 0.56 vs. 3.04 ± 0.34 m2/kg; p = 0.023). Average ΔC-Pep improvement from recruitment to 3 months was 100.8% in INS,vs. 51.3% in OAD. Prevalence of STM-ΔC-Pep response greater than 2.4 ng/mL had risen 3.2-fold by 12 months in the INS, vs. 2.4-fold only in the OAD group (p = 0.018).

DISCUSSION

Early short-term insulin intervention in newly diagnosed T2D improves beta cell function more than glimepiride, both added to metformin, resulting in a superior and longer lasting glycemic and lipid control.

Real-World Comparative Evaluation of Add-On Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist in Type 2 Diabetes Treated with or without Insulin

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) is a potent antidiabetic agent with cardiorenal and weight-losing benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The combination of GLP-1 RA with basal insulin has been suggested in several clinical studies as a useful treatment for intensifying insulin therapy in T2D. However, there has been no real-world evidence study comparing the glycemic effects of GLP-1 RAs add-on to background treatment with and without insulin. A retrospective study was performed in 358 patients with T2D who initiated liraglutide or dulaglutide. Among them, 147 patients were prior and concurrent insulin users, and 211 patients were non-insulin users. After 12 months of GLP-1 RA treatment, the changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and body weight were evaluated. The effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs on HbA1C reduction was greater in insulin users than non-insulin users at 12 months (−1.17% vs. −0.76%; p = 0.018). There was no significant difference in body weight change between insulin users and non-insulin users at 12 months (−1.42 kg vs. −1.87 kg; p = 0.287). The proportion of responders (decrease of HbA1C > 1%) in insulin users was much higher than that in non-insulin users (48% vs. 37 %; p = 0.04). In insulin users, those who had increased insulin dosage at 12 months had significantly less HbA1C reduction than that of non-increased patients (−0.62% vs. −1.57%; p = 0.001). GLP-1 RAs provide superior glucose-lowering effects in insulin-treated patients compared with non-insulin-treated patients with T2D without significant differences in body weight decrease.

Expert-Group Practical Advice on Insulin Initiation and Titration for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the Gulf Region

The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management represents a major challenge in the Gulf region. Hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for microvascular and macrovascular complications and increased mortality. Early dietary and lifestyle changes alongside a step-wise targeted pharmacological approach to achieve a glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level of &#x3c;7% are recommended to limit these complications. However, achievement of this HbA_1c target remains a major challenge, especially in the Gulf region. Both physician and patient-led barriers limit timely initiation and titration of insulin. An expert-group advisory committee reviewed the current guideline recommendations, strategized best practice, and curated clinical practical advices to enable primary-care physicians to optimally initiate and titrate insulin in patients with T2DM.

The IGFBP3/TMEM219 pathway regulates beta cell homeostasis

Loss of pancreatic beta cells is a central feature of type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes, but a therapeutic strategy to preserve beta cell mass remains to be established. Here we show that the death receptor TMEM219 is expressed on pancreatic beta cells and that signaling through its ligand insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) leads to beta cell loss and dysfunction. Increased peripheral IGFBP3 was observed in established and at-risk T1D/T2D patients and was confirmed in T1D/T2D preclinical models, suggesting that dysfunctional IGFBP3/TMEM219 signaling is associated with abnormalities in beta cells homeostasis. In vitro and in vivo short-term IGFBP3/TMEM219 inhibition and TMEM219 genetic ablation preserved beta cells and prevented/delayed diabetes onset, while long-term IGFBP3/TMEM219 blockade allowed for beta cell expansion. Interestingly, in several patients' cohorts restoration of appropriate IGFBP3 levels was associated with improved beta cell function. The IGFBP3/TMEM219 pathway is thus shown to be a physiological regulator of beta cell homeostasis and is also demonstrated to be disrupted in T1D/T2D. IGFBP3/TMEM219 targeting may therefore serve as a therapeutic option in diabetes.

Current and future perspectives for wastewater-based epidemiology as a monitoring tool for pharmaceutical use

The medical and societal consequences of the misuse of pharmaceuticals clearly justify the need for comprehensive drug utilization research (DUR). Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) employs the analysis of human metabolic excretion products in wastewater to monitor consumption patterns of xenobiotics at the population level. Recently, WBE has demonstrated its potential to evaluate lifestyle factors such as illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco consumption at the population level, in near real-time and with high spatial and temporal resolution. Up until now there have been fewer WBE studies investigating health biomarkers such as pharmaceuticals. WBE publications monitoring the consumption of pharmaceuticals were systematically reviewed from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar). 64 publications that reported population-normalised mass loads or defined daily doses of pharmaceuticals were selected. We document that WBE could be employed as a complementary information source for DUR. Interest in using WBE approaches for monitoring pharmaceutical use is growing but more foundation research (e.g. compound-specific uncertainties) is required to link WBE data to routine pharmacoepidemiologic information sources and workflows. WBE offers the possibility of i) estimating consumption of pharmaceuticals through the analysis of human metabolic excretion products in wastewater; ii) monitoring spatial and temporal consumption patterns of pharmaceuticals continuously and in near real-time; and iii) triangulating data with other DUR information sources to assess the impacts of strategies or interventions to reduce inappropriate use of pharmaceuticals.

Willingness of people with Type 2 diabetes to start insulin therapy: Evidence from the South African Tshwane Insulin Project (TIP)

AIMS

To determine factors associated with 'hypothetical willingness' to start insulin among people with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

A quantitative cross-sectional study with insulin-naïve T2DM patients at 23 primary care facilities in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Data collected included demographic and clinical data, willingness to start insulin, attitudes and barriers to insulin therapy. Factors associated with unwillingness to start insulin therapy were explored using a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Of 468 T2DM study patients (mean age 57.2, SD = 11.3 years), more than half (51.9%) expressed unwillingness to starting insulin therapy. Unwillingness was associated with negative attitudes (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.12-1.55, p = 0.001) and reluctance (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27-1.57, p < 0.001) rather than age, sex, education or diabetes duration. The strongest reasons for patient unwillingness were injection anxieties, fear of needles, insufficient knowledge of insulin, feeling unable to cope with insulin and concerns about out-of-pocket costs.

CONCLUSIONS

The prospect of insulin therapy disturbs patients' sense of self and their psychological wellbeing. The high prevalence of psychological insulin resistance among these T2DM patients needs to be addressed for effective diabetes management.

Fixed-ratio combination of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of Japanese people with type 2 diabetes: An innovative solution to a complex therapeutic challenge

Over 10 million people in Japan have known or suspected type 2 diabetes (T2D), and this number is expected to rise. Although many people require therapy escalation because of the progressive nature of T2D, this appears to be suboptimal in Japanese real-world clinical practice. Insulin therapy tends to be introduced only when glycaemic control is very poor (mean glycated haemoglobin >9%). Although basal insulin therapy is effective in reducing fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose often remains uncontrolled. Basal-bolus insulin regimens are complex and carry the risk of weight gain and hypoglycaemia. Recently, fixed-ratio combinations (FRCs) of BI and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown efficacy in reducing both FPG and postprandial plasma glucose with a single injection and without increased risk of hypoglycaemia or weight gain. IDegLira, a titratable FRC of insulin degludec (100 U/mL) and liraglutide, is currently available in Japan and the United States/European Union at a ratio of 1 U (unit):0.036 mg. iGlarLixi (insulin glargine 100 U/mL and lixisenatide at a ratio of 1:1 (20 U/20 μg) has recently been approved in Japan. Phase 3 trials in Japan for IDegLira (DUAL Japan) and iGlarLixi (LixiLan JP) have shown that both FRCs are efficacious. This review provides an overview of IDegLira and iGlarLixi (Japanese formulation) and considers their potential use as new therapeutic options to address the clinical need for early glycaemic control in Japanese people with T2D.

Beta-cell failure in type 2 diabetes: mechanisms, markers, and clinical implications

It is well known that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a globally increasing health burden. Despite recent therapeutic advances and the availability of many different classes of antihyperglycemic therapy, a large proportion of people do not achieve glycemic control. A decline in pancreatic beta-cell function has been defined as a key contributing factor to progression of T2D. In fact, a significant proportion of beta-cell secretory capacity is thought to be lost well before the diagnosis of T2D is made. Several models have been proposed to explain the reduction in beta-cell function, including reduced beta-cell number, beta-cell exhaustion, and dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation into other cell types. However, there have been reports that suggest remission of T2D is possible, and it is believed that beta-cell dysfunction may be, in part, reversible. As such, the question of whether beta cells are committed to failure in people with T2D is complex. It is now widely accepted that early restoration of normoglycemia may protect beta-cell function. Key to the successful implementation of this approach in clinical practice is the appropriate assessment of individuals at risk of beta-cell failure, and the early implementation of appropriate treatment options. In this review, we discuss the progression of T2D in the context of beta-cell failure and describe how C-peptide testing can be used to assess beta-cell function in primary care practice. In conclusion, significant beta-cell dysfunction is likely in individuals with certain clinical characteristics of T2D, such as long duration of disease, high glycated hemoglobin (≥9%), and/or long-term use of therapies that continuously stimulate the beta cell. In these people, measurement of beta-cell status could assist with choice of appropriate therapy to delay or potentially reverse beta-cell dysfunction and the progression of T2D.

Efficacy and Safety of Basal Insulin-Based Treatment Versus Twice-Daily Premixed Insulin After Short-Term Intensive Insulin Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (BEYOND V)

INTRODUCTION

Many Chinese patients who are uncontrolled by oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) receive short-term intensive insulin therapy (IIT) in hospital to rapidly relieve glucose-associated toxicity and to preserve/improve β-cell function. However, evidence for optimizing insulin algorithms for maintenance treatment after IIT is lacking. This study will compare the efficacy and safety of basal insulin-based treatment versus twice-daily premixed insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients after short-term in-hospital IIT.

METHODS

This 26-week randomized, multicenter, positive-controlled, open-label, parallel-group study will enroll approximately 400 male and female patients aged 18-70 years with poorly-controlled T2DM (HbA1c > 7.5%) despite treatment with metformin plus at least one other OAD for 8 or more weeks. During a run-in period of 7-10 days, patients will be treated in-hospital with IIT comprising insulin glargine (Lantus^®) once daily and insulin glulisine (Apidra^®) three times daily; both regimens will be titrated daily to achieve the glycemic goal. Eligible patients will then be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to insulin glargine plus OADs or twice-daily premixed insulin (NovoLog^® Mix 70/30) for 24 weeks, with metformin maintained throughout the study in both treatment groups. The primary endpoint is HbA1c change from baseline to week 24. Secondary endpoints include assessment of fasting plasma glucose, total daily insulin dose, hypoglycemia incidence, body weight change, adverse events, and patient satisfaction.

DISCUSSION

Given the current lack of clinical data, this study will provide evidence supporting safe and effective glycemic control using basal insulin glargine-based therapy plus OADs compared with twice-daily premixed insulin in Chinese patients with T2DM after short-term IIT. This will assist physicians by providing a wider choice of treatments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03359837 (registered on 2 December 2017).

Effect of short-term intensive insulin therapy on α-cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

The effect of intensive insulin therapy on hyperglucagonemia in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and its associations with β-cell function, has not been elucidated. This study assessed the effect of 12 weeks of intensive insulin therapy on hyperglucagonemia in newly diagnosed T2DM and its associations with β-cell function, with reference to the effects of 12 weeks of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs).One hundred eight patients with newly diagnosed T2DM were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2015. The patients were randomly divided to receive, for 12 weeks, either intensive insulin therapy or OHAs. Meal tolerance tests were conducted at baseline before treatment (0 week), at 12 weeks (end of treatment), and 12 months after the initiation of treatment. The levels of glucagon, proinsulin, C-peptide (CP), and blood glucose were measured at timepoints 0, 30, and 120 minutes during the meal tolerance test.Intensive insulin treatment was associated with a decrease in glucagon levels (at 0, 30, and 120 minutes) and proinsulin/CP, and an increase in the insulin-secretion index ΔCP30/ΔG30 and ΔCP120/ΔG120, at 12 weeks and 12 months during the follow-up, compared with the corresponding effects of OHAs. Intensive insulin therapy could reduce but failed to normalize glucagon levels at 12 weeks. There were no correlations between the change of percentages in total area under the curve of glucagon and other glycemic parameters (proinsulin/CP; ΔCP30/ΔG30; or ΔCP120/ΔG120). Patients who received intensive insulin therapy were more likely to achieve their target glycemic goal and remission, compared with those who received OHAs.Short-term intensive insulin therapy facilitates the improvement of both β-cell and α-cell function in newly diagnosed T2DM mellitus. Decline of β-cell secretion and concomitant α-cell dysfunction may both be involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM.

Serum C-peptide and osteocalcin levels in children with recently diagnosed diabetes

BACKGROUND

We explored the association of C-peptide (marker of secreted insulin), proinsulin and proinsulin ⁄C-peptide ratio (PI/C) (markers of beta-cell endoplasmic reticulum [ER] stress) with undercarboxylated (uOC) and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC) and their ratio (uOC/cOC) in children with recently diagnosed type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the correlation of these variables with partial remission (PR) in children with T1D.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data of children with new-onset diabetes (n = 68; median age = 12.2 years; 33.8% non-Hispanic White, 45.6% Hispanic/Latino, 16.2% African American and 4.4% other) were collected at diagnosis and during the first (V1), second (V2) and third clinical visits at 9.0, 32.0 and 175.7 weeks, respectively. Serum proinsulin, C-peptide, uOC and cOC values were measured 7.0 weeks after diagnosis. PR was defined as insulin dose-adjusted HbA1c (IDAA1c) ≤9.

RESULTS

In children with new-onset T1D with DKA (33.3%) or T2D (29.4%), Spearman's correlation coefficient revealed a positive association between the C-peptide levels and both uOC and uOC/cOC ratio. In T1D (n = 48), both higher serum C-peptide levels and low PI:C ratio were associated with higher BMI percentile (β = 0.02, P = .001; β = -0.01, P = .02, respectively) and older age at diagnosis (β = 0.13, P = .001; β = -0.12, P = .001, respectively). Furthermore, in children with T1D, C-peptide levels at V1 correlated with IDAA1c ≤ 9 at V1 (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

C-peptide levels are associated with a higher uOC and uOC/cOC ratio in paediatric diabetes. In new-onset T1D children, older age and higher BMI were associated with lower beta-cell stress and higher preserved function, which was predictive of PR on follow-up.

Influence of Timing of Insulin Initiation on Long-term Glycemic Control in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective Delays in insulin initiation can lead to the development of complications in the management of type 2 diabetes. Methods In this study, the effects of the timing of insulin initiation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated retrospectively. Changes in the HbA1c levels of 237 patients were analyzed after insulin initiation. Results The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the duration of diabetes at the time of insulin initiation: ≤3 years, 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years, or ≥10 years. Patients with a diabetes duration of ≤3 years were more frequently hospitalized at the time of insulin initiation, had a higher HbA1c level before insulin initiation and a lower HbA1c level at 1 year after insulin initiation and exhibited significant decreases in HbA1c at 1, 3, or 5 years after insulin initiation than those in the other 3 groups with longer durations of diabetes. In the group receiving 4 insulin injections per day, the reduction in HbA1c after 5 years of treatment was larger in patients with a diabetes duration at the time of insulin initiation of ≤3 years than in those with a duration of 7 to 9 years or ≥10 years. Conclusion Our results suggested that an earlier initiation of insulin therapy was crucial for sustaining glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly in those with a history of obesity or receiving multiple insulin injections daily.

Modeling patient empowerment and health literacy to glycemic control in insulin-treated patients: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To model the pathways of patient empowerment (PE) and health literacy (HL) to glycemic control specific to insulin-treated patients by prospective design.

METHODS

Insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (N = 185) were recruited by convenience sampling. Data of personal characteristics, PE, and HL were collected by questionnaires at baseline and 9 months later. The 9-month glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of each participant were collected from medical records. Structural equation modeling was used to test a hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Baseline and 9-month communicative HL and critical HL significantly and negatively correlated with 9-month HbA1c levels. Structural equation modeling supported that baseline and 9-month PE significantly affected HL at corresponding time points. Baseline PE indirectly affected 9-month HL through 9-month PE. The 9-month HL directly affected 9-month HbA1c. Baseline HL indirectly affected 9-month HbA1c through 9-month HL.

CONCLUSION

Communicative HL and critical HL rather than functional HL were crucial in improving glycemic control. PE is essential to improve HL in insulin-treated patients.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare providers could apply the empowerment approach to educate insulin-treated patients. Through reciprocal dynamic process of PE, insulin-treated patients with T2DM might improve their communicative and critical HL; and finally, glycemic control could be improved.

Predictors of Self-Efficacy in Administering Insulin Injection

This study aimed to identify the predictors of self-efficacy in administering insulin injection among patients with type 2 diabetes. Using a cross-sectional survey, data were collected via purposive sampling from a metabolic ward of a medical center in Southern Taiwan. Participants were 72 patients with type 2 diabetes, who had started using Lantus, Levemir, or Novomix pen injectors. Data were collected from October 2013 to August 2014, using the Diabetes and Insulin Injection Knowledge Scale, Self-Efficacy in Administering Insulin Injection Scale, and photographs illustrating insulin injection skills. The findings indicated that "knowledge of diabetes and insulin injection," "insulin injection skills," "senior high school or above education," and "diabetes duration" were predictors of self-efficacy in administering insulin injection, which explained 41% of the total variance in self-efficacy. Health care professionals can design relevant strategies for improving patient self-efficacy in administering insulin injection, thereby increasing patients' insulin self-injection abilities.

Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Empowerment Perceptions and Diabetes Distress as Important Determinants

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the determinants of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in insulin-treated patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on demographic and disease characteristics, self-reported regimen adherence factors (adherence in insulin regimen and self-monitoring of blood glucose), and psychosocial factors (decisional balance for insulin injection, health literacy, self-efficacy for insulin injection, diabetes distress, and empowerment perceptions). Via convenience sampling, 255 insulin-treated patients with T2DM were recruited from two endocrinology clinics in Taiwan. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect demographic and disease characteristics, regimen adherence factors, and psychosocial factors. The first HbA1c level measured after completion of the questionnaire was the dependent variable. The last HbA1c level measured before patients started insulin therapy as well as body mass index (BMI) was collected from medical records. Results indicated that adherence in insulin regimen was relatively good. Regimen adherence factors did not significantly correlate with HbA1c levels, but empowerment perception, decisional balance for insulin injection, health literacy, and diabetes distress did. The hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that BMI, the last HbA1c levels before starting insulin therapy, empowerment perception, and diabetes distress were important determinants of HbA1c levels. Nurses could periodically assess the diabetes distress of insulin-treated patients with T2DM and refer to mental health professionals when needed. Furthermore, applying empowerment approaches such as enhancing self-awareness of improved glycemic control and sharing more decision-making power with insulin-treated patients with T2DM might have benefits for their glycemic control.

Chemically Precise Glycoengineering Improves Human Insulin

Diabetes is a leading cause of death worldwide and results in over 3 million annual deaths. While insulin manages the disease well, many patients fail to comply with injection schedules, and despite significant investment, a more convenient oral formulation of insulin is still unavailable. Studies suggest that glycosylation may stabilize peptides for oral delivery, but the demanding production of homogeneously glycosylated peptides has hampered transition into the clinic. We report here the first total synthesis of homogeneously glycosylated insulin. After characterizing a series of insulin glycoforms with systematically varied O-glycosylation sites and structures, we demonstrate that O-mannosylation of insulin B-chain Thr27 reduces the peptide's susceptibility to proteases and self-association, both critical properties for oral dosing, while maintaining full activity. This work illustrates the promise of glycosylation as a general mechanism for regulating peptide activity and expanding its therapeutic use.

A Multinational, Randomized, Open-label, Treat-to-Target Trial Comparing Insulin Degludec and Insulin Glargine in Insulin-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction

To lower the barrier for initiating insulin treatment and obtain adequate glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), new basal insulin preparations with improved pharmacological properties and consequently a lower risk of hypoglycemia are needed. The objective of this trial was to confirm the efficacy and compare the safety of insulin degludec (IDeg) with insulin glargine (IGlar) in a multinational setting with two thirds of subjects enrolled in China.

Methods

This was a 26-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target, non-inferiority trial in 833 subjects with T2DM (48 % were female, mean age 56 years, diabetes duration 8 years), inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Subjects were randomized 2:1 to once-daily IDeg (555 subjects) or IGlar (278 subjects), both with metformin. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) after 26 weeks.

Results

The completion rate was high (IDeg 94.2 %; IGlar 91.4 %). Mean HbA_1c decreased from 8.3 to 7.0 % in both groups. Estimated treatment difference (ETD) [95 % confidence interval (CI)] IDeg-IGlar in change from baseline was −0.05 % points [−0.18 to 0.08], confirming the non-inferiority of IDeg to IGlar. The proportion of subjects achieving HbA_1c <7.0 % was 54.2 and 51.4 % with IDeg and IGlar, respectively (estimated odds ratio [95 % CI] IDeg/IGlar: 1.14 [0.84 to 1.54]). The mean decrease in fasting plasma glucose, self-measured plasma glucose profiles, and insulin dose were similar between groups. Numerically lower rates of overall (estimated rate ratio [95 % CI] IDeg/IGlar: 0.80 [0.59 to 1.10]) and nocturnal (0.77 [0.43 to 1.37]) confirmed hypoglycemia were observed with IDeg compared with IGlar. No treatment differences in other safety parameters were found. Subjects were more satisfied with the IDeg device compared with the IGlar device as reflected by the total Treatment Related Impact Measures-Diabetes Device score (ETD [95 % CI] IDeg-IGlar: 2.2 [0.2 to 4.3]).

Conclusion

IDeg provided adequate glycemic control non-inferior to IGlar and a tendency for a lower hypoglycemia rate. IDeg is considered suitable for initiating insulin therapy in T2DM patients on OADs requiring intensified treatment.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01849289.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0134-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Determinants of weight change in patients on basal insulin treatment: an analysis of the DIVE registry

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe patterns of weight change in insulin-naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) starting basal insulin (BI) treatment.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Diabetes Versorgungs-Evaluation (DIVE) is an observational, multicenter, prospective registry in patients with T2DM. Patients were divided into those initiating BI therapy for the first time (with optional oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs)) and those initiating OADs only (OADo).

RESULTS

521 patients were included in the analysis, 113 in the BI arm and 408 in the OADo arm. Relative to baseline, the BI group gained an average of 0.98±7.1 kg at 1 year, compared with a loss of 1.52±11.8 kg in the OADo group (p<0.001). This difference remained statistically significant when expressed as a proportional change from baseline (+0.014±0.08 vs -0.015±0.12, respectively (p<0.001)). Baseline weight (regression coefficient (RC) 0.89; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.97; p<0.001) and diabetes duration (RC 2.52; 95% CI 0.53 to 4.52; p=0.01) were the only factors identified as significant predictors of weight gain between baseline and 1 year follow-up in BI patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Though BI therapy leads to modest weight gain over the subsequent year, this may be limited by BI initiation at an early stage of the disease. As such, delaying the start of insulin therapy based on fears of weight gain appears counter-productive, and should be reconsidered.

Chronic insulin infusion induces reversible glucose intolerance in lean rats yet ameliorates glucose intolerance in obese rats

BACKGROUND

Although insulin resistance (IR) is a key factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the precise role of insulin in the development of IR remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether chronic basal insulin infusion is causative in the development of glucose intolerance.

METHODS

Normoglycemic lean rats surgically instrumented with i.v. catheters were infused with insulin (3mU/kg/min) or physiological saline for 6weeks. At infusion-end, plasma insulin levels along with glucose tolerance were assessed.

RESULTS

Six weeks of insulin infusion induced glucose intolerance and impaired insulin response in healthy rats. Interestingly, the effects of chronic insulin infusion were completely normalized following 24h withdrawal of exogenous insulin and plasma insulin response to glucose challenge was enhanced, suggesting improved insulin secretory capacity. As a result of this finding, we assessed whether the effects of insulin therapy followed by a washout could ameliorate established glucose intolerance in obese rats. Obese rats were similarly instrumented and infused with insulin or physiological saline for 7days followed by 24h washout. Seven day-insulin therapy in obese rats significantly improved glucose tolerance, which was attributed to improved insulin secretory capacity and improved insulin signaling in liver and skeletal muscle.

CONCLUSION

Moderate infusion of insulin alone is sufficient to cause glucose intolerance and impair endogenous insulin secretory capacity, whereas short-term, intensive insulin therapy followed by insulin removal effectively improves glucose tolerance, insulin response and peripheral insulin sensitivity in obese rats.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

New insight into the link between insulin and glucose intolerance may optimize T2D management.

Incidence and correlated factors of beta cell failure in a 4-year follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal analysis of the BETADECLINE study

AIMS

Type 2 diabetes is associated with progressive deterioration of beta cell function and loss of glycemic control, with increased morbidity and mortality from microvascular and macrovascular complications. Factors predictive of beta cell decline are needed.

METHODS

We have conducted a prospective evaluation of baseline predictors of beta cell dysfunction and insulin initiation in a cohort of outpatients with type 2 diabetes receiving stable treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents or dietary intervention, over a 4-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

Of 507 patients enrolled, 56 (10.8 %) experienced the study endpoint of initiation of insulin therapy. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed that the likelihood of initiating insulin therapy during follow-up increased with longer diabetes duration and with higher baseline values for hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, proinsulin, interleukin-6, Homeostatic Model Assessment-IR and lower values for Homeostatic Model Assessment-B. The likelihood of initiating insulin therapy increased by 46 % for each 1 % increase (10.9 mmol/mol) in baseline hemoglobin A1c and by 6 % for each unit increase (1 ng/l) in baseline IL-6 level. The risk was fourfold higher in the lowest versus highest Homeostatic Model Assessment-B quartile. Treatment with metformin plus a secretagogue increased the risk by fourfold.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that commonly measured parameters may predict treatment failure in type 2 diabetes and suggest that early treatment with metformin plus secretagogues may foretell this failure.

Near normal HbA1c with stable glucose homeostasis: the ultimate target/aim of diabetes therapy

Achieving near normal glucose homeostasis implies that all components of dysglycemia that are present in diabetes states be eliminated. Reducing ambient/overall hyperglycemia is a pre-requisite to eliminate the risk of development and progression of diabetes complications. More controversially however, are the relative and related contributions of postprandial glucose excursions, glucose variability, hypoglycemia and the dawn phenomenon across the spectrum of dysglycemia. For instance, it is likely that the dawn phenomenon contributes to ambient hyperglycemia and that postprandial glucose excursions are at the cross road of ambient hyperglycemia and glucose variability with glucose fluctuations as causative risk factors for hypoglycemia. Proof-of-concept trials such as the ongoing FLAT-SUGAR study are necessary for gaining further insight into the possible harmful effects of some of these features such as excessive glycemic variability and glucose excursions, still considered to be of minor relevance by several diabetologists. Whether their role will be more thoroughly proven through further intervention trials with "hard" endpoints, remains to be seen. In the meantime more consideration should be given to medications aimed at concomitantly reducing ambient/overall hyperglycemia and those additional abnormal glycemic features of dysglycemia.